>The Smoking Room< The Lady's have a tearoom, so here's a Gentleman's Club

[theairman]

"we can't let the westwoods have a monopoly!"

[Johannes von Zealand III]

"Walks in with his pipe lit, looking suspiciously around the room"
Hello Gentlemen! I´ve been told that there would be a bit of chit-chatting in this room here; may I join you, my good lads?
Say, anyone partial to a cup of Coffee? 

[Indefinitive]

-She simply raises her eyebrows and blows the smoke out through her nose.-

Welcome, welcome. Sit, sir. I don't think they mind anyone joining, if they've allowed a woman to take a seat and light up without a fuss.

[Johannes von Zealand III]

-He takes a seat on one of the many chairs available in the Gentlemans Club. He empties his old Stanwell pipe from ashes, and begins to fill it with more tobacco-

So now Gents, what are we up to?
I don´t believe I can hear any music, should we not put a record on the Grammophone? Say, what do people like to hear?

[James Harrison]

I'm in a mood for a loud waltz with a lot of percussion.  It's been one of those days.

[helios]

Agreed. Something one could dance to, preferably. Not, of course, that I would, as I am quite comfortably ensconsed in my chair, but I would like the option.

[Arlen]

*Bows to the ladies present.*

I say, Lads; Room for one more?
I'm a bit behind on the conversation but I'm sure I can catch up. I've some lovely black cavendish to go around.

[Johannes von Zealand III]

*Rises from his chair and walks over to the grammophone. He puts a Swing Jazz record on, and hopes the rest of the audience likes it.*

Was this what the gentlemen wished for? Anyone up for a dance?

*Starts dancing to the sweet tunes*

[Indefinitive]

-She removed the ashes from her pipe, repacked it, and lit it again, sending a rather impressive plume of smoke into the air above her.-

Do save the bowing for a more formal occasion. Sitting and smoking is generally an informal thing, so I don't think it necessary for one to go about bowing when they should be taking a seat and lighting up like the rest of us.

It isn't like I pride myself on being a proper lady, either. Men always get to have more fun, so I say to Hell with being a lady when it doesn't suit me.

[Arlen]

-She removed the ashes from her pipe, repacked it, and lit it again, sending a rather impressive plume of smoke into the air above her.-

Do save the bowing for a more formal occasion. Sitting and smoking is generally an informal thing, so I don't think it necessary for one to go about bowing when they should be taking a seat and lighting up like the rest of us.

It isn't like I pride myself on being a proper lady, either. Men always get to have more fun, so I say to Hell with being a lady when it doesn't suit me.

I'm afraid, Ma'am, that it's rather ingrained. Scottish country dancing, you see. I bow at the start of a song let alone the sight of a lady.
I shall, of course, do my best not to offend you. What are you smoking there? Quite a delicious smell to it.



This is rather grand music, Sir! Who did you say it was?

[Indefinitive]

A little something my tobacconist likes to call Perfection.

I'd have to say, I agree with him completely. 

[Acheron]

It isn't like I pride myself on being a proper lady, either. Men always get to have more fun, so I say to Hell with being a lady when it doesn't suit me.

Oh, I bet you wish you could...

Either way, a pipe is a step in the right direction. Personally, I prefer Westminster. Always adds a nice, murky touch to any room. I'll see if I can get any particular details on this 'Perfection' blend though, if lady won't tell me herself...

And a hearty welcome to Arlen. I presume you're new to this forum?

[Arlen]

I believe 'Perfection' is a lovely vanilla blend by Samuel Gawith Co. I am sure you could find some stockist on 'The Interweb.'
Presently I am enjoying some 'Proper English' which I was surprised to find so readily available at my provincial tobacconist.

I am, indeed, new to the forum. Joined up a few weeks back since I have become interested in this 'Steampunk' phenomena. Heartily enjoying myself so far, I must say!

Now, I must excuse myself and go check on the bees.

[Auntie Ludmilla]

Bees? Is that a euphemism...?

[Arlen]

Bees? Is that a euphemism...?

No madam. My wife and I are budding beekeepers and we had a new swarm so I had to make sure they were settling in O.K. and had enough food.

Now I am hoping for a good dinner and perhaps a relaxing pipe. Don't suppose this place has anything like the beefsteak club's menu?

[Cornelius Nightshade]

In a far corner trying to enjoy his brandy, cigar and the London Times. Mr. Nightshade can not but remember a time when a gentlemens club was for, well, Gentlemen and NOT riff-raff of the most common sort.

"If I had wanted to mingle with the great unwashed masses I would have gone to The Clutch."
 The Clutch (A bar for airship pirates, ragamuffins and other law breakers)

" Is anyone even looking after the door in this place!"

[James Harrison]

No, Samuel was put on other duties after that incident when he turned away an Ambassador.  Thus we have no doorman, but I must say I'm rather taken with the more colourful characters joining us here now.  Stops the club stagnating, you know?  Also I don't feel it's about to plunge to the same d****d-awful levels of the old London clubs today.

[Indefinitive]

Samuel, as his name appeared to be, is dead. I shot him.

He tried to stop me from entering your little club. Apparently, even though he had been assigned other tasks, he still felt a need to guard the door on his days off.

I took offense when he said I wouldn't belong, as I am clearly not a gentleman. So I shot him.

I smoke, and I believe that means I fit in here well enough. After all, the ladies in the Tea Room won't have me if I light up, I'm sure. Anyone who cares to try to argue can do it the same way he did. With a hole in their chest.


And I take offense to that previous remark. I washed my face and hands before I come, I did.

[Theosophus Grey]

In a far corner trying to enjoy his brandy, cigar and the London Times. Mr. Nightshade can not but remember a time when a gentlemens club was for, well, Gentlemen and NOT riff-raff of the most common sort.

"If I had wanted to mingle with the great unwashed masses I would have gone to The Clutch."
 The Clutch (A bar for airship pirates, ragamuffins and other law breakers)

" Is anyone even looking after the door in this place!"

"Apparently not, if they let you in Nightshade", Captain Grey commented as he sat in the opposite wingchair and pointedly ordered 'a large brandy'...

"Not to worry, old man, the Club is neutral territory.  How fare you these days, still stealing lollipops from babies?" he asked, lighting his meerschaum pipe and blowing a cloud of strangely blue smoke in Nightshade's direction.

[Cornelius Nightshade]

Indeed! Stealing lollypops from babies and Shish-Kabobbing kittens are very enjoyable past times, a man needs hobbies. After all foreclosing on orphanages and tossing old women out on the street is busy work, especially in the winter.

How are things on your end, Acting Captain Grey, still sticking your nose in to affairs of your betters? Oh, and how is the homicidal Mr. Bailey doing these days? Still on your leash? Or did he finally get himself bricked up in some ones basement?

You could not possibility still be letting him run around with sharp knives, could you? Hum? Tisk, tisk, you just might make me believe I was in error in appointing you as Captain.

[Theosophus Grey]

Glad to see you're keeping yourself busy, Nightshade - after leaving all those dead bodies on Mars, one would think you'd be bored with London.

<slips silver-hilted dagger out of right boottop and begins to clean fingernails while continuing to puff on pipe>

Funny you should ask about about Bailey - last I knew, he and young Frank (officers both now, don't you know) were meddling in some rather dire hocus-pocus, not really my cup of tea; I prefer something that bleeds when I run it through. 

Speaking of which, care for a round of saber after luncheon? 

[Cornelius Nightshade]

Grey old boy, I taught you well when you started digging into mad Dan’s books not to even try and cross me when it comes to matters of skullduggery. In that, I am the master.

I don’t need a lesson in humility by crossing swords with you. A man needs to know his limitations as well as his strengths. So thank you, NO we wont be crossing swords any time soon.

 I can offer you a glass of truly exceptional brandy however, my own stock, that swill your drinking isn’t fit for rubbing alcohol

[Cornelius Nightshade]

“meddling in some rather dire hocus-pocus”
-----------

Amazing! So he is a wizard now? Is their anything that Uber-Bailey cant, do?

[Theosophus Grey]

Quite right on the brandy, old man, this IS excellent. <sips>

Since fencing is out, how about a game of chess?  You'll have to be black, of course... 

[steamtastic]

I won't play unless gambling's involved.